It looks like we might have received a little bit of rain last night or early this morning. Yes, Lord! Just a month or so ago we were setting rain records, well the records changing of late are heat related. Last evening was flowerbed watering time and although it takes most of the early evening to get everything taken care of, the beauty of these flowers and shrubs are worth it. The geranium spray from Thistle Farms seems to be working on repelling bugs when I spray it on me and I can see why, not too fond of the fragrance and it just adds to the sweaty fragrance of working outdoors. Reminds one of the verse in the Bible concerning Lazarus...he stinketh.
We are in the fun beginnings of the most wonderful time of the year, produce season time. Yesterday, it seemed like a good idea to eat breakfast out on the way to Strawberry Hill to pick up strawberries and whatever other fruitish offerings they had. There were several choices but when one has a Barnes and Noble coupon burning in their wallet, one makes the decision based on closeness of the bookstore. It made the choice easy, Another Broken Egg. I usually order the bananas foster pancakes because they are the bomb diggity, but constraint ruled and it was just regular pancakes with sides of eggs and bacon. Usually when one is dining alone you are seated in the back or in a corner, except yesterday, the hostess sat me in the middle of a dining section with no other breakfast consumers. They were all located in other sections of the restaurant. It was a bit daunting to be featured in the middle of the main area. It took longer than usual to order but finally someone came over and took care of that. If they had left me alone too much longer I might have stood next to the table, grabbing the back of the chair for support and sing, "the cheese stands alone, the cheese stands alone, hi ho the dairyo, the cheese stands alone." Eating alone is a regular part of life these days but yesterday was a bit of a trip. The only cure for a breakfast blip is to hasten quickly to the bookstore. In this world of Amazon Prime it feels as if Barnes and Noble is putting a good faith effort into customer service and experience. Greeted and asked several times if they could help me find anything. Nope, just a browser who has a systematic approach to going through the store. I left with three books, like I need three more books, but this is going to be the summer of reading. It is also the summer of the denim shirt cause I don't want to ponder too much on what to wear. You are so thankful when a drive south on I-26 is uneventful and the roads are clear. Yesterday's drive was a thankful drive. The past few days my heart has overflowed with a good theme...a praise to the God of my life. Ps 45:1 The whole beauty of this part of the country demonstrates majestically artistic and creativeness of God. The flowers that grow wild alongside the roads to the flowers planted by the fine folks at NCDOT, the bluest sky, and of course one cannot forget to mention the mountains silhouette against that sky. The innumerable shades of green in the trees. The creeks and rivers and streams...even the little mud holes that dot the landscapes on farms are just so marvelous in context of the landscape. With the abundance of rain early on, lots of hay is being baled so tractors are on the roads going to cut hay and trucks and trailers are filled with those big round bales. Don't mind this kind of traffic jam at all. I love seeing all of this and experiencing life so differently from any other time here on earth. The running conversations with the Lord seem more vibrant on the road than from a comfortable chair in the house or on the porch. Well, once again I digress but it was a good bunny trial. Think I will begin a new paragraph just cause this one is getting so long.
Strawberry Hill was busy but not so much as to be discouraged by so many people. The staff were putting out new buckets of strawberries when I arrived. The cucumbers looked good as well as the tomatoes. Peaches are on the scene now and the are the cling variety but I tried a new variety to me at least, of peach. It's good. All the tractors and farm equipment dotted the scene in a distance and even got to see up close and personal some of the biggest, takes almost both lanes wide farm apparatus.
On the drive home I considered a few detours but with fresh fruit and veggies, even in coolers, kept me on the straight and narrow of going home, with only a few drop offs of fruit to friends along the way. The backyard was buzzing with screen track and siding going up on the porch. Parking is a premium on the driveway... Only staying long enough to take care of the produce bounty and a little trip to the necessitarium. Then off to Weaverville for banking and grocery shopping...with a little trip to Tractor Supply thrown in to check on birdseed. They were out of the kind the birds seem to like but told me to check back in today or tomorrow. Home again where I nearly went off the side of the driveway trying to back in around the trucks. I have never seen on the backup camera the whole car outlined in red and alarms going off. Shawn, the siding guy, was kind enough to straighten his truck so I could do the safe parking in front of our truck. Whew, adventure for sure.
Here we have arrived where the post began, talking about watering plants because that was the evening activity. It was a welcomed diversion when Inez dropped by for a few minutes of sitting in lawn chairs and visiting. I love how the colors in the garden change over the weeks as flowers bloom and then step to the side for the next round of color from other plants. At the front bird feeder I have seen gold finch, house wrens, blue birds (meal worms in the seed mix,) cardinals, indigo blue, mockingbirds and doves...oh yes and all the little birds, wrens and chickadees. Butterflies are showing up too especially since there are several new plants added this year to attract them. Yep, thankful, grateful and blessed...but now I needs to be about preparing a Sunday School lesson...just need to get it in written form.
Friday, May 31, 2019
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
A Feral Cat Catch Up
We are following the advice of all the weather forecasters which is find a cool space and stay there. Some are heading up higher in the mountains to Mt Mitchell but today's cool spot is here at home where I am navigating several million loads of laundry...excuse the hyperbole. Maybe it is just thousands of loads of laundry. Also in my spare time I am scratching at my mosquito bites. Usually, I don't get bit often but I must be more sugary sweet than in years past. The heat is affecting the little troupe of ferals. They are looking for someplace cool and alternate from under the porch to the porch to under the front porch. I fed them this morning and Mr Meany took another swipe at me as I fixed the food. This time I shoved him back a little. He seems to be getting more aggressive which concerns me some. Mama Cat took him on in a minor scuff after his aggressive behavior toward me and it's not exactly like she is on my side, cause she has that mournful, pitiful, hungry face that greets us most mornings but when I come out to put their bowls in the back, she hisses. Oh the love of passive aggressive cats. Punky hisses too but only after the most pitiful and mournful cry. Strawyer, well, he keeps his meows short and sweet. Punky has regained her girlish figure which means she is very attractive to the males out back. One of them attempted a salacious rendezvous when she wasn't in the mood and pretty much made it a vain attempt as she wouldn't, as they say in the cat world, present. Punky looked up at me with eyes that spoke a general dissatisfaction with the attention when clearly all she wanted to do was take a nap and I told her every woman in the world has made that face at one time or another whether she be cat, dog, horse or human. I think the sadness that overtakes their eyes in the course of growing up makes me sad. You can tell when the spirit of a rambunctious kitten as been engulfed with the complexities of ♬ ah, ah, ah, ah...stayin' alive, stayin' alive.♪ The recent sighting of Camo yesterday confirmed she is still hanging in there. She lives up on the mountain, over by the church now, but drops in for food every now and again. A few minutes ago Punky sat on the porch with her back to me...she looks so much like Riley when I see her from the back. Yesterday, I had a brief thought concerning Riley that maybe someone over in the next holler past the ravine might have trapped her and might be giving her the good life. The chances of that are very slim, though. But until I know differently, there is that glimmer of hope.
With the heat the little ferals are interested in the garage. While it might feel cool in the mornings and evenings, it is hot as blue blazes in the middle of the day. Both Punky and Strawyer, together or alone, will migrate back to the corner where Riley migrated all those months ago. That corner is where Riley stayed for the first week in the garage only coming out for meals and treats and sometimes to let me pet and rub her head. Roy said maybe they smell her scent but from what I have read, after a series of days, cats will forget that familiar scent and it becomes a part of the unknown. The other draw besides the garage, is the front flowerbed. With it being newly mulched, there is fun galore, once again a good stripper name, as they chase each other, hunt and then potty in that expansive flowerbed. Play got so exuberant yesterday morning, that they knocked down one of the little chairs that holds flowers. Being too tired last night I waited till this morning to right the chair and do a little watering before the heat of the day. It makes the heat that much more bearable when there are cool mornings and not as hot evenings.
With work starting again on the back porch the ferals have sought shelter in other places. It looks like Strawyer is expanding his world and goes out a little farther and I wouldn't be surprised if he finds a territory to call his own. He is coming into his male-dom, so to speak. He has started to see that he can move Mama Cat from her bowl and just a few weeks ago she would have hissed and spat at him. He comes over, nudges her with his head as he eats and she moves to find the next bowl. Strawyer looks like he is biding his time in overtaking Mr Meany. He is big like his father, Dead Beat Dad but Strawyer has the sweetest personality. He is the only cat out of this bunch who has never hissed at me. He lets me get closer to him but never pet him. His little, short meow warms my heart. Punky whines and then hisses and whines some more. She has just about outgrown playing laser light on the porch and the timing is perfect with screens coming next. At dusk she is sitting out there waiting for that little red light. She doesn't chase it as much now but yet she is still mesmerized. I did think for a little bit last week that maybe her kittens were still alive...but I don't think they made it but wouldn't be surprised if I saw a little one. I do believe if given the chance Mr Meany would kill them. I think he got to Riley's kittens.
Camo made a brief appearance yesterday. She also worked over Mr Meany, so she has come up a few more notches. He was getting very aggressive toward her after being worked over and since it was so convenient to spray him with the water hose because I just happened to be watering flowers, I did. Cool his jets so to speak.
So, this is the feral/stray catch up.
With the heat the little ferals are interested in the garage. While it might feel cool in the mornings and evenings, it is hot as blue blazes in the middle of the day. Both Punky and Strawyer, together or alone, will migrate back to the corner where Riley migrated all those months ago. That corner is where Riley stayed for the first week in the garage only coming out for meals and treats and sometimes to let me pet and rub her head. Roy said maybe they smell her scent but from what I have read, after a series of days, cats will forget that familiar scent and it becomes a part of the unknown. The other draw besides the garage, is the front flowerbed. With it being newly mulched, there is fun galore, once again a good stripper name, as they chase each other, hunt and then potty in that expansive flowerbed. Play got so exuberant yesterday morning, that they knocked down one of the little chairs that holds flowers. Being too tired last night I waited till this morning to right the chair and do a little watering before the heat of the day. It makes the heat that much more bearable when there are cool mornings and not as hot evenings.
With work starting again on the back porch the ferals have sought shelter in other places. It looks like Strawyer is expanding his world and goes out a little farther and I wouldn't be surprised if he finds a territory to call his own. He is coming into his male-dom, so to speak. He has started to see that he can move Mama Cat from her bowl and just a few weeks ago she would have hissed and spat at him. He comes over, nudges her with his head as he eats and she moves to find the next bowl. Strawyer looks like he is biding his time in overtaking Mr Meany. He is big like his father, Dead Beat Dad but Strawyer has the sweetest personality. He is the only cat out of this bunch who has never hissed at me. He lets me get closer to him but never pet him. His little, short meow warms my heart. Punky whines and then hisses and whines some more. She has just about outgrown playing laser light on the porch and the timing is perfect with screens coming next. At dusk she is sitting out there waiting for that little red light. She doesn't chase it as much now but yet she is still mesmerized. I did think for a little bit last week that maybe her kittens were still alive...but I don't think they made it but wouldn't be surprised if I saw a little one. I do believe if given the chance Mr Meany would kill them. I think he got to Riley's kittens.
Camo made a brief appearance yesterday. She also worked over Mr Meany, so she has come up a few more notches. He was getting very aggressive toward her after being worked over and since it was so convenient to spray him with the water hose because I just happened to be watering flowers, I did. Cool his jets so to speak.
So, this is the feral/stray catch up.
Monday, May 27, 2019
All in All...A Good Time Was Had
Since last Friday we have been on the run with things to do and things to see. Yesterday, even with being on the go, we got a lot of things taken care of in anticipation of our porch being finished...Roy thinks it will be around Christmas...ha, I hope it is finished before July 4th. We are waiting on the siding to be installed. This process has taken longer than either of us anticipated and we had timed everything for this week for our part of the project. Yesterday afternoon and early evening we put together several items and now those items are in the house and all the cardboard and filler is in the trash or in the truck to go to the dump this morning. Mustang Sam has an appointment at the Ford dealership at noon and the A/C people will be here this afternoon doing the summer checkup.
Our area is getting ready for some of our warmest temps, even having the possibility for record breaking temps. Tuesday was really warm and with us going to Blowing Rock, GFM and Roan Mountain we both got a little to a lot of sun. Yesterday, the morning temps were cool and it was even cooler in SC which seemed kind of strange. As we worked on assemblage we had a great breeze that turned into a bit of wind as it turned to the early evening.
Roy finally got to go up to the Cataloochee. The road is winding, narrow and rough...oh and the view of the height of the mountain is breathtaking in more ways than one. Cuman and Inez took us up there and we had a delightful time. Butterflies were plenteous but the elk didn't show. That is such a majestic sight of all those elk but we will have to wait for another opportunity most likely in the fall. Cuman and Inez introduced us to a wonderful drive in/restaurant. The food was comfort food in the style of the 50's and 60's. We loved it! We plan to go back in the future.
********************
It's Monday and last week went by so quickly. It is a little quiet around the house this morning. Last week was a full, busy and fun week. We got a lot of stuff done and we got to do a lot of fun stuff. WNC has so much to see and to do and we haven't even scratched the surface. I will include TN in the mix too. We stopped at the TN welcome center a couple of Saturdays ago and the man working the desk was very helpful with some information about day trips in the eastern part of the state. We also rejoiced we were all brothers and sisters in Christ. That came up in the conversation about the two Presbyterian churches near The Farmer's Daughter that split in the 1800's over pastors being paid or not. The two churches are about fifty feet apart and they are still meeting separately.
The discovery of the Roan Mountain area has been an additional joy for our day trips. We found a great plant place and strawberry jam. It is only about 35 minutes from GFM makes it very appealing as well. It is such a beautiful area. Roy got to taste and see Ole Guacamole's in Johnson City while here. They were understaffed and over busy, the chili con queso was a little thin but he liked the food. We put together furniture and things for the eternally not finished back porch...no arguments. We have a record going here people. We planted plants, we watered plants and discussed future plans...I mean plants. We ate out, we ate at home. We laughed and we had great conversations. Roy made the trip without too much upper respiratory stuff and hung on to go home with less coughing. This junk has been dogging him since Christmas. We had a very good time....longer than most days here but went by too quickly.
Our area is getting ready for some of our warmest temps, even having the possibility for record breaking temps. Tuesday was really warm and with us going to Blowing Rock, GFM and Roan Mountain we both got a little to a lot of sun. Yesterday, the morning temps were cool and it was even cooler in SC which seemed kind of strange. As we worked on assemblage we had a great breeze that turned into a bit of wind as it turned to the early evening.
Roy finally got to go up to the Cataloochee. The road is winding, narrow and rough...oh and the view of the height of the mountain is breathtaking in more ways than one. Cuman and Inez took us up there and we had a delightful time. Butterflies were plenteous but the elk didn't show. That is such a majestic sight of all those elk but we will have to wait for another opportunity most likely in the fall. Cuman and Inez introduced us to a wonderful drive in/restaurant. The food was comfort food in the style of the 50's and 60's. We loved it! We plan to go back in the future.
********************
It's Monday and last week went by so quickly. It is a little quiet around the house this morning. Last week was a full, busy and fun week. We got a lot of stuff done and we got to do a lot of fun stuff. WNC has so much to see and to do and we haven't even scratched the surface. I will include TN in the mix too. We stopped at the TN welcome center a couple of Saturdays ago and the man working the desk was very helpful with some information about day trips in the eastern part of the state. We also rejoiced we were all brothers and sisters in Christ. That came up in the conversation about the two Presbyterian churches near The Farmer's Daughter that split in the 1800's over pastors being paid or not. The two churches are about fifty feet apart and they are still meeting separately.
The discovery of the Roan Mountain area has been an additional joy for our day trips. We found a great plant place and strawberry jam. It is only about 35 minutes from GFM makes it very appealing as well. It is such a beautiful area. Roy got to taste and see Ole Guacamole's in Johnson City while here. They were understaffed and over busy, the chili con queso was a little thin but he liked the food. We put together furniture and things for the eternally not finished back porch...no arguments. We have a record going here people. We planted plants, we watered plants and discussed future plans...I mean plants. We ate out, we ate at home. We laughed and we had great conversations. Roy made the trip without too much upper respiratory stuff and hung on to go home with less coughing. This junk has been dogging him since Christmas. We had a very good time....longer than most days here but went by too quickly.
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
A Few Days, A Few Thoughts
There are so many things that need to be done but yet, here I sit at the computer for just a few moments. It is almost like a vitamin taken daily for the time to be etched out for writing, whether it be blog or journal or otherwise.
Mother's Day was uneventful for me...none of the cats or birds wished me well, ha! Well, Buddy threw up and left me that gift but she has given that gift before. Most cats do. Thought ahead and had bought orange chicken on Friday for Sunday lunch. Sometimes in the days preceding Mother's Day, when wished to have a happy one, I just say thank you cause if I say, "I'm not a mom" it makes the person with the cheery greeting uncomfortable. It is not a hard day for me and it really never has been except for the first Mother's Day without my mom. It was an eventful Mother's Day because it was our new Pastor's first Sunday. He did well and covered all the Mother's Day bases. I think we are all excited to experience serving the Lord with our new pastor.
It is wonderful to see the sun and bright blue sky after a rainy and overcast weekend. We didn't get any measurable rain since Saturday until Sunday evening. A few good showers with a little thunder now and then. Two more plants that needed planting were put out in the backyard. Not too big and they draw hummingbirds. Finished that up, got the garbage down to the road and went around the block, well a rural block, to blow out the fruit flies...yes with produce stand season comes, fruit flies and stink bugs. Small price to pay for the glorious season of the stand. I had put the top down on Mustang Sam to take the bags down and timed everything just right cause there were a few droplets falling from the sky but it wasn't until pulling into the garage that the heavens opened and declared the glory of God.
*****************
It is now Tuesday and the day started early. Well, the day actually blended in with the night because around 1:00 am something moved some lumber on the back porch that made a loud noise...so wide awake, a restless Buddy and hard to settle down....there wasn't a whole lot of sleeping going on. Today was that trip to Hendersonville to go to the Dr...not just any Dr but Andy Morris. It was a good appointment with everything looking good. He is going to schedule a scan, but I don't know what kind to check on the bone lesion the radiologist found last year. Had five different tests to rule things out last year and I have been feeling the best I have in a long time, it is just a safe and good thing to do. Afterwards I thought about going to Strawberry Hill or Southern Chicks, but opted to celebrate with Jack in the Box tacos. Don't get them very often and they are just so good...even better, no spillage while eating them and driving. Made a quick stop at Biltmore Park and then on the way back home. Once Buddy was greeted, treated and released to the front porch, I took a very little nap. Then I began to do my work around here and plant the day lilies I picked up at Lowe's. So now the edge of the driveway has day lilies lining it. Yellow, orange, burgundy and a yellow/purple blend. They had roses on sale and finally saw the pink like we planted last year, so got that all ready to go.
*************
Yea, the crew is here working this morning. We know they have other projects going on but we haven't seen too much of them around here and being the plan ahead person, well I am a planner on this kind of stuff, the garage is getting a little more crowded with things for the back porch.
I feel like Paul in that Roy is bringing the books and parchments with him. Okay not parchments, but a couple of books that I can now use again, having the wonderful privilege of teaching Sunday School. He is also bringing a couple of items that I can't find around here but he has a plentiful treasure store to pick from, think taco seasoning Texas style.
Looks like the financial scandal in the Buncombe government is wrapping up. The beloved county manager and a few others had been skimming money by fraudulent means for several years. Mainly it was insurance fraud, illegal credit cards being issued and contractor kickbacks. Everything came to light when she unexpectedly retired in 2017. It was announced yesterday that an audit of 2018, costing around $340,000.00 showed no fraudulent activity. The audit improved procedures and the like bringing the county into the 21st century. It is interesting to read this because being married to a Certified Internal Auditor, who placed in the top five in the world the year he took the test and still holds the record of highest score in the Houston area, hearing from him over the years when something like this happens sticks with me and I find it so interesting. Not the numbers or math part but the mindset and plans that went into the deception. After she retired, she moved to TN but that wasn't far enough. The feds are involved and she entered to a plea agreement in January although she hasn't been sentenced yet. The county is trying to recover the fraudulently obtained money. Roy and I met at Pennzoil and I worked in treasury, he worked in internal audit. He wrote me up that when I had finished running checks through the signature machine, I did not clean the signature plate once the job was finished. Anyone for a small period of time could use the residual ink to fraudulently sign a check....gee, never even thought about that. Unlike fouls in basketball, I was and still am a horrible basketball player, I didn't take the write up personally and we dated and then got married. Hmm...I wonder if that was an audit exception. There are so many practicalities to auditing more so than just numbers. I remember telling the minister I worked for, who was on the leadership team at church, that they shouldn't all ride together in the same car when they went out for their leadership meetings. One wreck could have erased the entire leadership of the church. He laughed at my suggestion but I thought dang, so many times churches want to use a business world of governance, when church governance rules didn't apply, why wouldn't they want to do what every big business in the world does...the top leadership of teams don't fly on the same plane or don't ride all together in the same car. The county manager had worked for the county since 1994 and had brought a lot of good to Buncombe but sadly, she brought the bad too... The cost of the audit is the talk of the news and Twitter last night and this morning but a lot of improved procedures came about with the cost and maybe that insures, at least for a while. Many are upset with the cost or the need of the audit but at least now they kind of know where they stand.
Ah, the sound of progress as the ceiling is being put in on the porch. Mr Meany was flirting with Buddy on the front porch, so I brought her inside. He is no good, Mr Meany.
Mother's Day was uneventful for me...none of the cats or birds wished me well, ha! Well, Buddy threw up and left me that gift but she has given that gift before. Most cats do. Thought ahead and had bought orange chicken on Friday for Sunday lunch. Sometimes in the days preceding Mother's Day, when wished to have a happy one, I just say thank you cause if I say, "I'm not a mom" it makes the person with the cheery greeting uncomfortable. It is not a hard day for me and it really never has been except for the first Mother's Day without my mom. It was an eventful Mother's Day because it was our new Pastor's first Sunday. He did well and covered all the Mother's Day bases. I think we are all excited to experience serving the Lord with our new pastor.
It is wonderful to see the sun and bright blue sky after a rainy and overcast weekend. We didn't get any measurable rain since Saturday until Sunday evening. A few good showers with a little thunder now and then. Two more plants that needed planting were put out in the backyard. Not too big and they draw hummingbirds. Finished that up, got the garbage down to the road and went around the block, well a rural block, to blow out the fruit flies...yes with produce stand season comes, fruit flies and stink bugs. Small price to pay for the glorious season of the stand. I had put the top down on Mustang Sam to take the bags down and timed everything just right cause there were a few droplets falling from the sky but it wasn't until pulling into the garage that the heavens opened and declared the glory of God.
*****************
It is now Tuesday and the day started early. Well, the day actually blended in with the night because around 1:00 am something moved some lumber on the back porch that made a loud noise...so wide awake, a restless Buddy and hard to settle down....there wasn't a whole lot of sleeping going on. Today was that trip to Hendersonville to go to the Dr...not just any Dr but Andy Morris. It was a good appointment with everything looking good. He is going to schedule a scan, but I don't know what kind to check on the bone lesion the radiologist found last year. Had five different tests to rule things out last year and I have been feeling the best I have in a long time, it is just a safe and good thing to do. Afterwards I thought about going to Strawberry Hill or Southern Chicks, but opted to celebrate with Jack in the Box tacos. Don't get them very often and they are just so good...even better, no spillage while eating them and driving. Made a quick stop at Biltmore Park and then on the way back home. Once Buddy was greeted, treated and released to the front porch, I took a very little nap. Then I began to do my work around here and plant the day lilies I picked up at Lowe's. So now the edge of the driveway has day lilies lining it. Yellow, orange, burgundy and a yellow/purple blend. They had roses on sale and finally saw the pink like we planted last year, so got that all ready to go.
*************
Yea, the crew is here working this morning. We know they have other projects going on but we haven't seen too much of them around here and being the plan ahead person, well I am a planner on this kind of stuff, the garage is getting a little more crowded with things for the back porch.
I feel like Paul in that Roy is bringing the books and parchments with him. Okay not parchments, but a couple of books that I can now use again, having the wonderful privilege of teaching Sunday School. He is also bringing a couple of items that I can't find around here but he has a plentiful treasure store to pick from, think taco seasoning Texas style.
Looks like the financial scandal in the Buncombe government is wrapping up. The beloved county manager and a few others had been skimming money by fraudulent means for several years. Mainly it was insurance fraud, illegal credit cards being issued and contractor kickbacks. Everything came to light when she unexpectedly retired in 2017. It was announced yesterday that an audit of 2018, costing around $340,000.00 showed no fraudulent activity. The audit improved procedures and the like bringing the county into the 21st century. It is interesting to read this because being married to a Certified Internal Auditor, who placed in the top five in the world the year he took the test and still holds the record of highest score in the Houston area, hearing from him over the years when something like this happens sticks with me and I find it so interesting. Not the numbers or math part but the mindset and plans that went into the deception. After she retired, she moved to TN but that wasn't far enough. The feds are involved and she entered to a plea agreement in January although she hasn't been sentenced yet. The county is trying to recover the fraudulently obtained money. Roy and I met at Pennzoil and I worked in treasury, he worked in internal audit. He wrote me up that when I had finished running checks through the signature machine, I did not clean the signature plate once the job was finished. Anyone for a small period of time could use the residual ink to fraudulently sign a check....gee, never even thought about that. Unlike fouls in basketball, I was and still am a horrible basketball player, I didn't take the write up personally and we dated and then got married. Hmm...I wonder if that was an audit exception. There are so many practicalities to auditing more so than just numbers. I remember telling the minister I worked for, who was on the leadership team at church, that they shouldn't all ride together in the same car when they went out for their leadership meetings. One wreck could have erased the entire leadership of the church. He laughed at my suggestion but I thought dang, so many times churches want to use a business world of governance, when church governance rules didn't apply, why wouldn't they want to do what every big business in the world does...the top leadership of teams don't fly on the same plane or don't ride all together in the same car. The county manager had worked for the county since 1994 and had brought a lot of good to Buncombe but sadly, she brought the bad too... The cost of the audit is the talk of the news and Twitter last night and this morning but a lot of improved procedures came about with the cost and maybe that insures, at least for a while. Many are upset with the cost or the need of the audit but at least now they kind of know where they stand.
Ah, the sound of progress as the ceiling is being put in on the porch. Mr Meany was flirting with Buddy on the front porch, so I brought her inside. He is no good, Mr Meany.
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Cat Updates But No Shopping Updates
Living between two extremes...that really don't merit attention. There are a group of friends that love reading about the feral cats and since Riley, there hasn't been too much to write about because the joy in watching the Feral Fam has diminished significantly. Then there is a smaller group that seem concerned over my attention to the ferals and think I shop all the time. No one has asked me about this, but contrary to what they believe, I do not shop all the time and also as a person who doesn't put everything out here, which is hard to believe I know, there isn't anything that is worth the time to discuss about the worries of cats and shopping. So, with these two groups in mind, I am going to write this morning about the ferals because there is news to write about in the happenings of their lives.
I saw something last night I haven't seen ever before in the lives of the Feral Fam. And true to the cliche, the weather was brooding last night with winds, a sudden coolness, announcing things to come. Punky hadn't come to breakfast and she has looked liked her time of delivering was near. With being gone most of the day I cannot report on the goings on in the backyard, but last evening, Punky was there with the group. She looked smaller and in hindsight I believe she was having contractions as she scarfed down her meal. With Mama Cat and Mr Meany there, it behooves one to scarf cause those two senior ranking cats will eat everything in sight. The rest of the early evening kept me busy with the chores that have to be done but decided not to water plants since we expected rain overnight. Not too sure that a rain event happened. I came downstairs and is my habit looked out the back window only to notice Strawyer focused and on point with his attention directed toward the back of the house. Taking a further look, there was Punky with half a kitten hanging out of the back of her. She was doing all kind of gyrations to get that kitten out. As Strawyer and I looked on helplessly Punky continued having that kitten and just when it was about to plop out, she returned under the house. Of course I am emotionally invested and wondering if the kitten is stillborn or if this is how cats have kittens. Strawyer continued his sentry duty by attempting to keep Mr Meany at bay. To complete the picture, Camo shows up. Not to see her grandchildren or even to help Punky, she was there to eat...and there were a few scraps left for her to clean up. Since Mr Meany and Camo have a proclivity to killing kittens, I joined in on sentry duty. In the midst of this tense tug of war in cat life, Roy calls to let me know we do have the books I have been looking for and to update the Houston weather....rain, rain and more rain...with lots and lots of lightning. I'm telling him about the scene in the backyard and he stops me because of his low gag reflex and the fact a kitten was hanging out of Punky became too much for him to bear. With dusk quickly becoming night, there wasn't much for me to do...I can't crawl under the house and Punky doesn't trust humans too much. I prayed and entrusted them to the Lord.
This morning Punky came to breakfast and she was kitten free, at least on her body. Mama Cat was there and of course Mr Meany. Mr Meany began fighting with Strawyer and then Punky...thus the name Mr Meany and thus the reason I don't like him. My neighbor texted me asking about him because he has been hanging around her house and being disruptive just like he is here but she thinks he is sweet. Oh contrare, friend, he is not sweet. My neighbor is kind of the Gladys Kravitz of the animal news around here and she does a lot of surveillance. She thinks Punky has moved the kittens to a shed on another property. Told her I suspected as such since Mr Meany has caused problems and a hawk seems to know there are kittens to be had. Such an foreboding feeling when the sun is just right to cast the shadow of the hawk as it flies over the yard. Strawyer has puncture wounds on the tips of his ears. Strawyer is getting as big as his father, Dead Beat Dad, and should be able to overtake Mr Meany in the near future.
*****************************
Our Saturday has begun with rain and fog. Good timing because I spent the better part of the afternoon planting two bridal wreath plants and a plant with a pink flower whose name I have already forgotten. The afternoon began a little overcast but as soon as shovel hit the dirt, the sun came out. I decided to place the plants in the backyard since I should be spending lots of time on the back porch...if it ever is completed. It will be just in the homestretch and sensing completion is near and I am so ready for it to be done.
Since this post is about the cats and not so much shopping, I felt this morning as if I was being watched...well, I was. Mama Cat was almost to the window on the porch looking in at us. She is probably wanting something to eat but with all the rain happening, there won't be an attempt to get out there anytime soon. Well, Mama Cat was rewarded only by the presence of Strawyer and got them fed. Now onto other meaningful endeavors. Started doing some cleaning around the house and a thought came to mind this morning over next week's Sunday School lesson, so off to research some stuff.
I saw something last night I haven't seen ever before in the lives of the Feral Fam. And true to the cliche, the weather was brooding last night with winds, a sudden coolness, announcing things to come. Punky hadn't come to breakfast and she has looked liked her time of delivering was near. With being gone most of the day I cannot report on the goings on in the backyard, but last evening, Punky was there with the group. She looked smaller and in hindsight I believe she was having contractions as she scarfed down her meal. With Mama Cat and Mr Meany there, it behooves one to scarf cause those two senior ranking cats will eat everything in sight. The rest of the early evening kept me busy with the chores that have to be done but decided not to water plants since we expected rain overnight. Not too sure that a rain event happened. I came downstairs and is my habit looked out the back window only to notice Strawyer focused and on point with his attention directed toward the back of the house. Taking a further look, there was Punky with half a kitten hanging out of the back of her. She was doing all kind of gyrations to get that kitten out. As Strawyer and I looked on helplessly Punky continued having that kitten and just when it was about to plop out, she returned under the house. Of course I am emotionally invested and wondering if the kitten is stillborn or if this is how cats have kittens. Strawyer continued his sentry duty by attempting to keep Mr Meany at bay. To complete the picture, Camo shows up. Not to see her grandchildren or even to help Punky, she was there to eat...and there were a few scraps left for her to clean up. Since Mr Meany and Camo have a proclivity to killing kittens, I joined in on sentry duty. In the midst of this tense tug of war in cat life, Roy calls to let me know we do have the books I have been looking for and to update the Houston weather....rain, rain and more rain...with lots and lots of lightning. I'm telling him about the scene in the backyard and he stops me because of his low gag reflex and the fact a kitten was hanging out of Punky became too much for him to bear. With dusk quickly becoming night, there wasn't much for me to do...I can't crawl under the house and Punky doesn't trust humans too much. I prayed and entrusted them to the Lord.
This morning Punky came to breakfast and she was kitten free, at least on her body. Mama Cat was there and of course Mr Meany. Mr Meany began fighting with Strawyer and then Punky...thus the name Mr Meany and thus the reason I don't like him. My neighbor texted me asking about him because he has been hanging around her house and being disruptive just like he is here but she thinks he is sweet. Oh contrare, friend, he is not sweet. My neighbor is kind of the Gladys Kravitz of the animal news around here and she does a lot of surveillance. She thinks Punky has moved the kittens to a shed on another property. Told her I suspected as such since Mr Meany has caused problems and a hawk seems to know there are kittens to be had. Such an foreboding feeling when the sun is just right to cast the shadow of the hawk as it flies over the yard. Strawyer has puncture wounds on the tips of his ears. Strawyer is getting as big as his father, Dead Beat Dad, and should be able to overtake Mr Meany in the near future.
*****************************
Our Saturday has begun with rain and fog. Good timing because I spent the better part of the afternoon planting two bridal wreath plants and a plant with a pink flower whose name I have already forgotten. The afternoon began a little overcast but as soon as shovel hit the dirt, the sun came out. I decided to place the plants in the backyard since I should be spending lots of time on the back porch...if it ever is completed. It will be just in the homestretch and sensing completion is near and I am so ready for it to be done.
Since this post is about the cats and not so much shopping, I felt this morning as if I was being watched...well, I was. Mama Cat was almost to the window on the porch looking in at us. She is probably wanting something to eat but with all the rain happening, there won't be an attempt to get out there anytime soon. Well, Mama Cat was rewarded only by the presence of Strawyer and got them fed. Now onto other meaningful endeavors. Started doing some cleaning around the house and a thought came to mind this morning over next week's Sunday School lesson, so off to research some stuff.
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
A Few Pet Peeves
My shoulders and arms are speaking to me this morning about the labor they went through planting some day lilys near the driveway. Even with the recent rain the soil is hard. I still love messing around with plants but wisdom says defer to Nathan and company to do the hard stuff. There are a few other plants that I can work with because they are going to be on the front deck in containers. Along with the plants from Reems Creek and Lowe's, I bought a very simple sprinkler at Walmart. The one from last year is iffy at best and until Roy can look at some of the more technical timers and sprinklers, this will have to do.
I love the conversations Dena and I have when she is here. Well, for that matter, I love the conversations that Lisa and I have when she is here but our conversations have a few more dance moments in the midst. Anyway, Dena and I got to talking about different styles of writing and guess that would include speakers and most speakers have a social media presence. So, when authors who are published are complaining with one another on social media about deadlines or edits, that seems a little disingenuous because there are so many that would give their eye teeth to be published or have an editor. I say this as a person who doesn't give a rip about having a book published but it seems like that kind of grumbling could be done on a DM to all the other author friends. Other pet peeves? Well, I am glad you asked....cause Dena and I have them all solved, ha! Speakers who say, "did you see what I did there" after a "witty" or thought provoking statement...uh no, we are all so stupid, we didn't pick up on that turn of a phrase. Gee whiz, come on...This pet peeve carries over into comedy as well. I love comedians that make you think and then give the time in their monologue for their words to be taken in, processed that produce a thought provoking laugh. Comedians who feel they must explain their jokes, yea, they're funny but not a favorite. Another annoyance is the author/speaker that makes the point continually, that their life, even while sharing fun pics, is anything but normal and while the pics might show a fabulous event, behind the scenes things are crazy. Maybe introducing that idea every once in a while is beneficial but every stinkin' time...it gets old. Now maybe it is because I am an older observer but it doesn't seem like everyone believes every life they see on social media. It is fun to see the adventures, it is interesting to hear backstories of frustration or delays but respect your readers...every frustration does not have to be introduced with the disclaimer that life isn't everything you see on Instagram or Facebook or read on Twitter. Until a few years ago, I didn't know that one of my favorite pics of the nieces when they were very young happened after a few meltdowns in the studio. Finally, my brother told me, the photographer got a great shot. Does that make me like or dislike the picture? No, so that carries over that pictures on FB don't give me a false impression of total and complete happiness all the time. Okay, since I am on the pet peeve jag, one more...please stop making everything a devotion or make everything some kind of life lesson for those of us reading. Every post, every post... is a chance to give direction or my goodness use this old hack, give leadership. It would be nice to enjoy the story without all the insights...that are maybe meant just for you...not to share. And the kicker is this, these devotional thoughts lead right into a cliff hanger sentence that is usually written like this...new things? Can't wait to share with you all the new things that will be happening soon....most likely, the writer forgets to share the new things or we as the readers just aren't that interested.
The contractor called yesterday to verify our choice of stain for the back porch and the next thing, they are here staining the boards that will make the ceiling. There were those tough decisions I had no clue about, smooth side or side with a bit of a bead effect and stain applied by brush or rag. Brush was an easy choice but the decision to go smooth was made when they said that side is a dust collecting machine, thus my lack of passion for dusting made that decision easier. The crew chief in conversation yesterday, told about another project they are working on, removing a patio that was installed improperly. He said this is a million dollar home and why someone would skimp on having the patio done correctly was beyond him. They had been working with jackhammers all morning removing the concrete and today some huge machine had to be brought in to help in removing the chunks. I felt confident they wouldn't be here this morning.
****************************
What is up with Houston and rain lately? Last night between shows, I turned over to the weather channel or I read through Twitter to keep up with the latest. All that rain should be around here on Friday.
Punky looks like she could have those kittens at any moment. She is huge and the normal three that her family usually carries to birth might be more. Strawyer has stuck around her consistently the past few days. My heart goes out to her. I haven't a clue if she has picked out a spot to have them but those cats keep away from the corner tree by the gravel road...which had been a popular hangout spot for them. This morning they did their cat duties and killed a mole. They were having such a great time with that dead thing. It looked like Punky and Strawyer were playing soccer. I hope after they finish playing they put their "toy" up and not leave it as a gift by the backdoor.
We have officially entered the bug season. Fruit flies, gnats, stink bugs and the like...The multiple numbers of gnats is unreal. The dogwood blooms have departed only to be replaced by the beauty of blackberry blooms.
Well, thank you for reading even with all the pet peeves.
I love the conversations Dena and I have when she is here. Well, for that matter, I love the conversations that Lisa and I have when she is here but our conversations have a few more dance moments in the midst. Anyway, Dena and I got to talking about different styles of writing and guess that would include speakers and most speakers have a social media presence. So, when authors who are published are complaining with one another on social media about deadlines or edits, that seems a little disingenuous because there are so many that would give their eye teeth to be published or have an editor. I say this as a person who doesn't give a rip about having a book published but it seems like that kind of grumbling could be done on a DM to all the other author friends. Other pet peeves? Well, I am glad you asked....cause Dena and I have them all solved, ha! Speakers who say, "did you see what I did there" after a "witty" or thought provoking statement...uh no, we are all so stupid, we didn't pick up on that turn of a phrase. Gee whiz, come on...This pet peeve carries over into comedy as well. I love comedians that make you think and then give the time in their monologue for their words to be taken in, processed that produce a thought provoking laugh. Comedians who feel they must explain their jokes, yea, they're funny but not a favorite. Another annoyance is the author/speaker that makes the point continually, that their life, even while sharing fun pics, is anything but normal and while the pics might show a fabulous event, behind the scenes things are crazy. Maybe introducing that idea every once in a while is beneficial but every stinkin' time...it gets old. Now maybe it is because I am an older observer but it doesn't seem like everyone believes every life they see on social media. It is fun to see the adventures, it is interesting to hear backstories of frustration or delays but respect your readers...every frustration does not have to be introduced with the disclaimer that life isn't everything you see on Instagram or Facebook or read on Twitter. Until a few years ago, I didn't know that one of my favorite pics of the nieces when they were very young happened after a few meltdowns in the studio. Finally, my brother told me, the photographer got a great shot. Does that make me like or dislike the picture? No, so that carries over that pictures on FB don't give me a false impression of total and complete happiness all the time. Okay, since I am on the pet peeve jag, one more...please stop making everything a devotion or make everything some kind of life lesson for those of us reading. Every post, every post... is a chance to give direction or my goodness use this old hack, give leadership. It would be nice to enjoy the story without all the insights...that are maybe meant just for you...not to share. And the kicker is this, these devotional thoughts lead right into a cliff hanger sentence that is usually written like this...new things? Can't wait to share with you all the new things that will be happening soon....most likely, the writer forgets to share the new things or we as the readers just aren't that interested.
The contractor called yesterday to verify our choice of stain for the back porch and the next thing, they are here staining the boards that will make the ceiling. There were those tough decisions I had no clue about, smooth side or side with a bit of a bead effect and stain applied by brush or rag. Brush was an easy choice but the decision to go smooth was made when they said that side is a dust collecting machine, thus my lack of passion for dusting made that decision easier. The crew chief in conversation yesterday, told about another project they are working on, removing a patio that was installed improperly. He said this is a million dollar home and why someone would skimp on having the patio done correctly was beyond him. They had been working with jackhammers all morning removing the concrete and today some huge machine had to be brought in to help in removing the chunks. I felt confident they wouldn't be here this morning.
****************************
What is up with Houston and rain lately? Last night between shows, I turned over to the weather channel or I read through Twitter to keep up with the latest. All that rain should be around here on Friday.
Punky looks like she could have those kittens at any moment. She is huge and the normal three that her family usually carries to birth might be more. Strawyer has stuck around her consistently the past few days. My heart goes out to her. I haven't a clue if she has picked out a spot to have them but those cats keep away from the corner tree by the gravel road...which had been a popular hangout spot for them. This morning they did their cat duties and killed a mole. They were having such a great time with that dead thing. It looked like Punky and Strawyer were playing soccer. I hope after they finish playing they put their "toy" up and not leave it as a gift by the backdoor.
We have officially entered the bug season. Fruit flies, gnats, stink bugs and the like...The multiple numbers of gnats is unreal. The dogwood blooms have departed only to be replaced by the beauty of blackberry blooms.
Well, thank you for reading even with all the pet peeves.
Monday, May 6, 2019
A Week Quickly Gone
It was a foggy morning but the sun is brilliant and burning off the fog quickly. After all the rain everything looks so green and the colors of the flowers seem brighter. Mike the mower man must have come Saturday morning before all the rain to cut the grass. After seeing so many beautiful bridal wreath plants last week it would be good to head over to Reems Creek and see if they have any.
It seems I am a morning writer and by the evening the waves of tiredness hit as well as Buddy would love to sit on my arm thus limiting any typing. Buddy has just left the room and so with this little bit of time and attention, I will direct a few words to the good ol' Monablog.
This past week went by way too quickly as Dena and I traversed the countryside. We have been fortunate that we haven't had real early mornings and we have been able to ease into the day. Dena arrived last Thursday and we began the afternoon off right by eating a late lunch at Good Wood Pizza. I had stopped at Marilyn's Sweet Addictions on the way to pick her up at the airport, so we were well supplied with sustenance. Friday we took it easy, did some shopping in the area and had supper at Turkey Creek. Saturday we did a little bit of the Weaverville Art Safari, ate lunch at Ole Guacamole in Johnson City and then took a little drive to Elizabethton and Roan Mountain. We had a bit of adventure at Roan Mountain but I will save that story for latter. Sunday we went to Sunday School and church, then had lunch at Twisted Laurel. Because picking up a fork at lunch was so exhausting we headed back to the house for a little rest and reading. Once we felt revived we went to the Biltmore Estate to drive through the gardens and do a little shopping in Antler Hill Village. Before leaving the estate we did stop by the creamery for some dairy goodness. Monday we were able to ease into the day but before heading over to Waynesville, we went over to Optix to see if they could adjust Dena's glasses for her. It was a lens problem so she will have to go back in Texas to have them fixed. So, off to Waynesville where we started at Belk, Hazelwood, Blue Rooster and a drive through Maggie Valley. Most evenings during the week we were able to sit on the front porch with Buddy and watch the traffic go by.
Tuesday we headed back to the Biltmore for lunch on the veranda and shopping at the Inn but before going there we stopped in at Barnes and Noble, Lifeway and Target. Lunch was delicious as always but neither one of us found anything to purchase...which is probably a good thing. We also went to the Screen Door where I found an item for the back porch. Wednesday was crossing the bridge at Grandfather Mountain Day. First we stopped at The Italian Restaurant in Newland. We had tried on previous trips to get Dena to this spot of deliciousness but either they were closed or we had time constraints. Dena crossed the bridge with flying colors and to celebrate we stopped in Burnsville to shop at the Grapevine. Dena found several cute pieces of clothing and they were all on sale. Score! The little antique store that I loved is no longer on the square. The ladies in the shop told me the building it was in had been sold. Thursday we were up early to go to the Blue Ridge Biscuit Company and Dena liked it as much as Roy and I had. We had a great breakfast and then drove the short distance to Montreat. Montreat is such a beautiful spot and I am thinking I need to head over that way more. We walked downtown Black Mountain and then we were going to take highway 9 over to Hendersonville but Dena knew on the first curve she might not be able to withstand the curves and height. so we traversed the freeways to get over to Hendersonville. After going to Southern Chicks, we drove to downtown Hendersonville. Y'all, that is a miracle. Not a fav place to drive. We tried to eat at La Cantina in Biltmore Village but they were having computer problems. We decided to stop by Publix, pick up some chips and guac and eat at home on the front porch. It was delicious. Friday morning Brenda had us over for a wonderful breakfast and then a tour of the gardens outside. Later we went to Marshall and drove around. Love the drive along the river road. Then of course on Saturday we began the sad journey over to Charlotte. Such a fun and full week.
Funny that morning coffee and evening front porch chats just aren't the same this week.
It seems I am a morning writer and by the evening the waves of tiredness hit as well as Buddy would love to sit on my arm thus limiting any typing. Buddy has just left the room and so with this little bit of time and attention, I will direct a few words to the good ol' Monablog.
This past week went by way too quickly as Dena and I traversed the countryside. We have been fortunate that we haven't had real early mornings and we have been able to ease into the day. Dena arrived last Thursday and we began the afternoon off right by eating a late lunch at Good Wood Pizza. I had stopped at Marilyn's Sweet Addictions on the way to pick her up at the airport, so we were well supplied with sustenance. Friday we took it easy, did some shopping in the area and had supper at Turkey Creek. Saturday we did a little bit of the Weaverville Art Safari, ate lunch at Ole Guacamole in Johnson City and then took a little drive to Elizabethton and Roan Mountain. We had a bit of adventure at Roan Mountain but I will save that story for latter. Sunday we went to Sunday School and church, then had lunch at Twisted Laurel. Because picking up a fork at lunch was so exhausting we headed back to the house for a little rest and reading. Once we felt revived we went to the Biltmore Estate to drive through the gardens and do a little shopping in Antler Hill Village. Before leaving the estate we did stop by the creamery for some dairy goodness. Monday we were able to ease into the day but before heading over to Waynesville, we went over to Optix to see if they could adjust Dena's glasses for her. It was a lens problem so she will have to go back in Texas to have them fixed. So, off to Waynesville where we started at Belk, Hazelwood, Blue Rooster and a drive through Maggie Valley. Most evenings during the week we were able to sit on the front porch with Buddy and watch the traffic go by.
Tuesday we headed back to the Biltmore for lunch on the veranda and shopping at the Inn but before going there we stopped in at Barnes and Noble, Lifeway and Target. Lunch was delicious as always but neither one of us found anything to purchase...which is probably a good thing. We also went to the Screen Door where I found an item for the back porch. Wednesday was crossing the bridge at Grandfather Mountain Day. First we stopped at The Italian Restaurant in Newland. We had tried on previous trips to get Dena to this spot of deliciousness but either they were closed or we had time constraints. Dena crossed the bridge with flying colors and to celebrate we stopped in Burnsville to shop at the Grapevine. Dena found several cute pieces of clothing and they were all on sale. Score! The little antique store that I loved is no longer on the square. The ladies in the shop told me the building it was in had been sold. Thursday we were up early to go to the Blue Ridge Biscuit Company and Dena liked it as much as Roy and I had. We had a great breakfast and then drove the short distance to Montreat. Montreat is such a beautiful spot and I am thinking I need to head over that way more. We walked downtown Black Mountain and then we were going to take highway 9 over to Hendersonville but Dena knew on the first curve she might not be able to withstand the curves and height. so we traversed the freeways to get over to Hendersonville. After going to Southern Chicks, we drove to downtown Hendersonville. Y'all, that is a miracle. Not a fav place to drive. We tried to eat at La Cantina in Biltmore Village but they were having computer problems. We decided to stop by Publix, pick up some chips and guac and eat at home on the front porch. It was delicious. Friday morning Brenda had us over for a wonderful breakfast and then a tour of the gardens outside. Later we went to Marshall and drove around. Love the drive along the river road. Then of course on Saturday we began the sad journey over to Charlotte. Such a fun and full week.
Funny that morning coffee and evening front porch chats just aren't the same this week.
Sunday, May 5, 2019
Sabbatical Sunday
Of all places, I was in the drive thru line at the Jack in the Box near Dallas...Dallas North Carolina. While waiting to order I checked the weather and then Facebook. I was saddened to learn that Rachel Held Evans had passed away early this morning. Since seeing the call to prayer for her in the middle of April, I have faithfully kept her in prayer, asking God to heal her and return her to her family, a husband and two kiddos. I never doubted that she would return out of the medically induced coma that they had her in as they sought the answer to fighting the infection in her body. I don't know RHE and I didn't always agree with her but she seemed to be such an encourager and fighter. I teared up while thinking of her family...she was so young, 37.
The tears could have come easier because I had just dropped off Dena at the airport. She was able to spend a little over a week here and we had so much fun. We were busy, lazy, industrious and as always joyful being together. Our friendship began many years ago and although we are opposites in so many ways, we aren't. Hope that makes sense. She walked across the bridge at Grandfather Mountain and did so very easily, bought the t-shirt and I bought her the pin of honor....just like Lisa. She finally got to experience The Italian Restaurant in Newland and she loved it! Well, what's not to love? She hasn't been here in April before so Dena was able to experience the flowers. Such beauty. We had a great time together, ate at some wonderful places, shopped and hung around on the front porch. It won't be too long and the back porch will be finished.
Both Dena and I were keeping an eye on the weather. She for turbulence and me for rain, wind, hail and fog. For a bit it seemed like I might escape the rain but when I came around the curve and couldn't see the mountains in the distance, I knew. From Marion to Black Mountain it was rough. The wind began to blow and leaves were coming at me like driving through a snow storm. Then blinding rain began and even if I wanted to pull over I couldn't cause every available space on the shoulder was taken. Slow driving and keeping my eyes on the white lines helped. Just saw one crash and it was a single vehicle in the median. Look like he had been spun around. A state trooper was helping him. The rain let up a bit but rained all the way home. Buddy was happy to see me and well I was pretty dang happy to see her.
Roy is at a Toastmaster conference and he is enjoying it but a little bored. Sounds like a success!
*************************
After checking radar it looks like this is the last round of showers before sometime this afternoon. It has been a constant rain. The plants and trees planted in these past few weeks are looking rather happy with these long continuous drinks of water. The instructions with the snowball bushes is to keep the ball of the plant hydrated. So that is happening but it is so interesting how quickly water evaporates here even after all the rain.
The morning after a friend's visit feels so sentimental. Drinking coffee in the quiet and after a little bit Buddy disappears for the first of a morning naps. I think I am feeling sentimental this morning, more so than usual after reading Twitter testimonies concerning Rachel Held Evans. And last night when I went out to feed the kiddos it really hit me that Riley is gone. Someone had just posted on a FB page that they had found weeks old kittens and by chance a neighbor had found their mama by their mailbox after being hit by a car. This was not Riley but those feelings of loss and helplessness rushed in after reading the post asking where and to whom to take the kittens, who still need to be bottle fed.
It was a sabbatical Sunday today with Buddy awake at 2:00 and never settling down until 4:30 with a few blips before 6:00 am. It is exhausting and I was so tired when the alarm went off this morning. With rain falling and eyes unable to stay open the decision was easy...sabbatical Sunday. Got some rest this morning and this afternoon tackling laundry hasn't totally taken a toll.
The tears could have come easier because I had just dropped off Dena at the airport. She was able to spend a little over a week here and we had so much fun. We were busy, lazy, industrious and as always joyful being together. Our friendship began many years ago and although we are opposites in so many ways, we aren't. Hope that makes sense. She walked across the bridge at Grandfather Mountain and did so very easily, bought the t-shirt and I bought her the pin of honor....just like Lisa. She finally got to experience The Italian Restaurant in Newland and she loved it! Well, what's not to love? She hasn't been here in April before so Dena was able to experience the flowers. Such beauty. We had a great time together, ate at some wonderful places, shopped and hung around on the front porch. It won't be too long and the back porch will be finished.
Both Dena and I were keeping an eye on the weather. She for turbulence and me for rain, wind, hail and fog. For a bit it seemed like I might escape the rain but when I came around the curve and couldn't see the mountains in the distance, I knew. From Marion to Black Mountain it was rough. The wind began to blow and leaves were coming at me like driving through a snow storm. Then blinding rain began and even if I wanted to pull over I couldn't cause every available space on the shoulder was taken. Slow driving and keeping my eyes on the white lines helped. Just saw one crash and it was a single vehicle in the median. Look like he had been spun around. A state trooper was helping him. The rain let up a bit but rained all the way home. Buddy was happy to see me and well I was pretty dang happy to see her.
Roy is at a Toastmaster conference and he is enjoying it but a little bored. Sounds like a success!
*************************
After checking radar it looks like this is the last round of showers before sometime this afternoon. It has been a constant rain. The plants and trees planted in these past few weeks are looking rather happy with these long continuous drinks of water. The instructions with the snowball bushes is to keep the ball of the plant hydrated. So that is happening but it is so interesting how quickly water evaporates here even after all the rain.
The morning after a friend's visit feels so sentimental. Drinking coffee in the quiet and after a little bit Buddy disappears for the first of a morning naps. I think I am feeling sentimental this morning, more so than usual after reading Twitter testimonies concerning Rachel Held Evans. And last night when I went out to feed the kiddos it really hit me that Riley is gone. Someone had just posted on a FB page that they had found weeks old kittens and by chance a neighbor had found their mama by their mailbox after being hit by a car. This was not Riley but those feelings of loss and helplessness rushed in after reading the post asking where and to whom to take the kittens, who still need to be bottle fed.
It was a sabbatical Sunday today with Buddy awake at 2:00 and never settling down until 4:30 with a few blips before 6:00 am. It is exhausting and I was so tired when the alarm went off this morning. With rain falling and eyes unable to stay open the decision was easy...sabbatical Sunday. Got some rest this morning and this afternoon tackling laundry hasn't totally taken a toll.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)